Rhode Island changed their policy on breastfeeding in public. Now it’s not only allowed in public, but women can sue an establishment if their right to, you know, feed their child has been violated.

Previously, the law stated that breastfeeding moms wouldn’t be subjected to public indecency laws.  (Gee, thanks.)

We’ve blogged about breastfeeding in public before.  There was the one about the woman kicked out of Denny’s in North Carolina. Kristen also blogged about a Kentucky McDonald’s asking a woman to leave for nursing.

In both cases, the police threatened to charge the mamas with trespassing.

These cases show us a few obvious things:

First, don’t go to chain restaurants or store.  Big box retailers can rarely think outside of one.

Second, make sure you have a great breastfeeding network so when these seemingly illogical incident happen, we can have a nurse-in.

Third, work to make laws that make it illegal for people with poor table manners to eat in public.  Because that is indecent.

I know, this advice seems crazy.  But…uh…doesn’t it seem nuts that we have to keep fighting for rights for our babies to be fed? When people discuss this issue, most common among the responses I’ve found is “It’s fine as long as she covers herself.” Show me a woman who flaunts the goods while nursing…anyone, anyone? (Bueller?)

All states have some sort of law that relates to breastfeeding.  Please be armed with the laws of your state.

Oh, and for those lovely businesses that kick woman out?  And for the cops who threaten these women? Please stop making the South look like we’re backwards on this! Must we have the North carpetbag good breastfeeding manners?

Image: Wikimedia Commons